Lip prints: The barcode of skeletal malocclusion

Area of Science:

• Orthodontics
• Forensic Odontology
• Anthropology

Background:

• Soft tissue analysis is crucial in orthodontics, with lips being a primary focus.
• Lip prints have not been utilized as diagnostic or forensic tools in orthodontics.
• This study investigates the potential link between lip prints and skeletal malocclusion.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the association between lip prints and skeletal malocclusion.
• To determine if lip print patterns can serve as a diagnostic aid in orthodontics.
• To assess the forensic potential of lip prints in relation to dental occlusion.

Main Methods:

• 114 North Indian adults (18-30 years) were categorized into skeletal classes I, II, and III (38 each).
• Lip prints were recorded, and lateral cephalograms were obtained for each subject.
• Lip prints were analyzed and compared across different skeletal malocclusion groups.

Main Results:

• The branched lip pattern was the most common in the North Indian population, with no observed sexual dimorphism.
• A statistically significant higher prevalence of the vertical lip pattern was identified in subjects with skeletal class III malocclusion.
• No significant sexual dimorphism was noted in lip print patterns.

Conclusions:

• A distinct correlation exists between vertical lip patterns and skeletal class III malocclusion.
• Lip print analysis may offer a novel diagnostic approach in orthodontics.
• Further research is warranted to validate the clinical and forensic applications of lip prints.